Semax Research Information

Synthetic ACTH(4-7) Heptapeptide

For Neuroprotective & Cognitive Research

⚠️ Important: This information is for educational and research purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before use.

📑 Contents

🔬 What is Semax?

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) that is an analog of the ACTH(4-7) fragment, extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro sequence that stabilizes the molecule against enzymatic degradation [citation:2]. It was developed in the 1980s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow by a research group led by Igor Ashmarin [citation:2].

Semax was designed to retain the cognitive-modulating properties of ACTH fragments without the steroidal and adrenal effects of full-length ACTH [citation:2]. It has been registered with the Russian Ministry of Health since 1994 for cerebrovascular indications and is used in Russia for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection [citation:2]. Semax is available in pen and freeze-dried vial formulations for research purposes.

⚡ How Semax Works

Semax works through multiple mechanisms to support neuroprotection and cognitive function:

In a 2018 clinical study of 110 post-stroke patients, Semax at 6,000 mcg/day intranasally elevated plasma BDNF and improved Barthel index and MRC motor scale scores [citation:2]. Semax also sequesters copper ions and interacts directly with Aβ:Cu2+ oligomers, leading to reduced amyloid β protein aggregation and fibrillogenesis [citation:4].

📋 Research Applications

📊 Clinical Studies

Ischemic Stroke Trial (Gusev et al., 2018)

• 110 post-stroke patients (43 men, 67 women; mean age 58.0 ± 9.7 years) received 6,000 mcg/day intranasally in two 10-day courses separated by a 20-day interval [citation:2]
• Semax elevated plasma BDNF and improved Barthel index and MRC motor scale scores over a ~5-month observation period [citation:2]
• Note: The trial was non-randomized and not placebo-controlled, a meaningful limitation on the strength of the finding [citation:2]

Alzheimer's Disease Model (Radchenko et al., 2025)

• In transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9/Blg mice, Semax improved cognitive functions in open field, novel object recognition, and Barnes maze tests [citation:1][citation:9]
• Histological examination showed reduced number of amyloid inclusions in the cortex and hippocampus of the animals' brains [citation:1]
• Demonstrates high potential of Semax for therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer's disease [citation:9]

Peptic Ulcer Research (Ivanikov et al.)

• Intranasal Semax (1% solution, 2-4 drops 3 times a day for 10 days) significantly promoted ulcer healing [citation:10]
• Ulcer healing observed in 89.5% of Semax-treated patients vs. 30.8% in control group at day 14 [citation:10]

Transcriptomic Effects in Ischemia (NIH, 2025)

• RNA-Seq analysis revealed Semax modulated 343 differentially expressed genes in ischemic rat striatum [citation:5]
• Peptides significantly reduced profile disturbances caused by ischemia for almost two-thousand DEGs in the frontal cortex [citation:5]
• Semax initiated neurotransmitter and anti-inflammatory responses, compensating for impairments caused by ischemia [citation:5]

Key Research Findings

• Most published trials appear in Russian-language journals; independent Western replication is essentially absent [citation:2]
• Semax is not FDA-approved in the United States [citation:2]
• Registered with the Russian Ministry of Health since 1994 for cerebrovascular indications [citation:2]
• Intranasal administration has about 60-70% absorption [citation:8]

💉 Interactive Dosing Guide

Select your vial size and dose to see the corresponding volume, clicks, dosing frequency, and how many doses per vial:

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

Semax has shown a favorable safety profile in clinical use. The drug is practically non-toxic and does not exhibit allergic, embryotoxic, teratogenic, or mutagenic properties [citation:8]. It has been used clinically in Russia since 1994 [citation:2].

• Injection site reactions: Mild redness or tenderness at injection site
• Mild gastrointestinal effects: Rare and usually mild
• Headache: Occasional and mild
• Overstimulation: Potential alertness effects (avoid late afternoon dosing)

Important Safety Considerations:

• Semax is not FDA-approved in the United States [citation:2]
• Most clinical evidence comes from Russian research; independent Western replication is limited [citation:2]
• Do not use if allergic to Semax or any ingredients
• Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding

📚 References

• Radchenko AI, Kuzubova EV, Apostol AA, et al. The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Acta Naturae. 2025;17:110-120. [citation:1]
• Semax: An ACTH(4-7)-Derived Heptapeptide and Melanocortin Receptor Modulator. Superpower.com. April 2026. [citation:2]
• Semax Product Information. Tocris Bioscience. [citation:4]
• Filippenkov IB, et al. Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025;26(13):6256. [citation:5]
• Gusev EI, Martynov MY, Kostenko EV, et al. The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2018;118(3. Vyp. 2):61-68. [citation:6]
• Semax Nasal Drops 1% Instructions for Use. Medvestnik. [citation:7]
• Semax Nasal Drops 1% Product Information. Pharmeconom. [citation:8]
• Ivanikov IO, Brekhova ME, Samonina GE, et al. Therapy of peptic ulcer with semax peptide. QxMD Read. [citation:10]

This information is for educational and research purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

Last updated: July 2026